We Tried the Best Indoor Security Cameras to Keep Your Home, Pets, and Kids Safe and Watched Over

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Unlike outdoor security cameras, which work best for latent surveillance and security, indoor options are built for targeted observation and interaction. Whether that’s monitoring your kids in the other room or checking in on your pets while you’re at work, an indoor security camera is the device to provide the view. We tested out some of the most popular models, researched tons of additional options, and built a list of the best, so your new camera gives you the peace of mind you need.

The indoor security cameras we recommend offer high-definition live footage of your indoor spaces, from living rooms to your kids’ bedrooms, and some are fit with motion detection to function as baby monitors or surveillance cams. Our top picks come with two-way microphones and speakers, night vision, and even privacy settings so there isn’t always a camera on you.

Read on for our reviews of the best indoor security cameras.

The Best Indoor Security Cameras

• Best Overall: Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

• Best Value: Wyze Cam v3

• Best Motion Tracking: Eufy Security E220

• Most Versatile: Ring Stick Up

• Best Mount: Google Nest Cam

What to Consider

Connection

Security cameras use either wired and wireless connections for the live video feed. Wired devices require a direct line to a monitor or computer to show you the footage, while wireless devices connect through your home Wi-Fi and stream the video to your phone or computer or, in some cases, use a Bluetooth connection to connect to other smart devices.

Wired connections are better for permanent installation but are likely overkill for most families. The majority of wired devices work better as part of a commercial security system meant for large buildings or private facilities.

Wireless indoor cameras are more versatile—you can mount them permanently or move them around the house as needed. Particularly for home use, wireless connected devices are far more common and make up the overwhelming number of options you’ll see for sale.

We only recommend wireless security cameras on our list due to their versatility as an at-home option and widespread popularity across top brands.

Power Source

Security cameras are either battery-powered or corded. Battery-powered devices offer more mobility in where you set them up and are a great option for mounting high in a room or for using outdoors. Most battery-powered security cameras can run between six months and a year before the battery dies. Once dead, you must remove the security cam from its mount and replace the batteries or recharge the entire device depending on if it’s powered by disposable batteries or an internal one.

Corded power offers significantly less mobility but comes with the added benefit of never needing to replace the camera’s power source or worry about it running out of battery while you’re away. If you plan on putting your cameras far from outlets, consider buying an extension cord to expand your options for mounting locations. Many indoor models we recommend use corded power for convenience and consistency.

Additional Features

Indoor cameras offer several of the same features as outdoor-specific options, such as high-definition video, live-streaming to smart devices, and night vision.

At the same time, most indoor security cameras do not come with much, if any, weather resistance—naturally, since rain and wind aren’t concerns inside. So just keep in mind that this relative lack of durability means that you can’t decide to relocate an indoor camera outside for a view of the yard or driveway. If you do want that versatility, there are dedicated indoor-outdoor models, like the Google Nest Cam we recommend below.

The upside of cameras meant solely for the indoors is that they're much more affordable than their outdoor counterparts. While you can use outdoor cameras in indoor spaces, the added cost of a weather resistant exterior isn’t worth it unless you plan on placing the camera in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Many indoor cameras are more maneuverable, coming with features like panning heads, so one camera can cover a wider view. Additionally, many boast high quality two-way microphones for easier communication with your pets or kids when you aren’t in the room. While some outdoor cameras come with similar features, they are often less prioritized in comparison to night-vision camera quality and durability.

Indoor cameras sometimes come with physical privacy screens that block the lens from recording. You can program this for when you get home or manually activate it whenever you want time out from under the camera’s eye. Others come with digital privacy settings that block off certain sections from your home from being monitored.

Higher end indoor cams have AI-powered person-detection software, so you can receive personalized alerts based on who walks into the room.

How We Tested

We made our final selections for this piece following extensive testing on four security cameras: the Wyze Cam V3, Eufy E220, Google Nest Cam, and Arlo Essential Indoor Cam. In our tests, we used each device as a daily security camera, checking in on our homes following motion-detection notifications, communicating with pets through two-way audio, and utilizing any features specific to one device. This included privacy screens, motion-tracking software, and night-vision video footage.

We also paid close attention to the accessibility and ease-of-use of the connected apps associated with each camera. We noted the difficulty of the connection and installation process, tried out the different features available, and evaluated the general interface. If there’s a paid subscription, we took into account what additional features the camera might get from that and noted the cost.

For security cameras we did not test out—like the Ring Stick Up Cam, Blink Mini 2, Wyze Cam Pan V3, and Blink Indoor Camera—we paid close attention to the key specs such as the video quality, connection style, and any additional features that set these models apart from others in consideration. We also read through hundreds of customer reviews, making sure the user experience lined up with the listed features.

Essential Indoor Security Camera

No option on our list has the same selection of security features at this low of a price as the Arlo Essential. The device comes with great motion detection, which I tested by walking by several times at different points in the day. Each time, the camera sent a notification to my phone almost instantaneously.

As for video quality, the Arlo was impressive in both daylight and darkness. While there is less depth to the picture at night, I could clearly identify people and items even with all lights off.

The Essential also comes with a powerful speaker and microphone that makes direct communication with a person (or pet) in the room easy and responsive. Simply press a button on your phone to speak and let go to listen. The integrated speaker is capable of emitting a siren that you can program to trigger automatically at unwanted movement at night, or manually set off yourself if you notice something amiss.

You can schedule the privacy shield to automatically cover the camera during certain hours—a feature we appreciated when we were sleeping and didn’t want the camera staring at us all night.

The only gripe I had during testing was the connection. The Arlo camera dropped connection from my smart device once and I had to manually reconnect it.

Cam v3 Indoor Security Camera

The Cam v3 hits a sweet spot between quality and affordability, which our Deputy Editor Zoë Hannah loves. The app is easy to use and comes with several features including night vision, two-way audio, and connection to voice assistants, for less than 40 dollars.

Hannah likes the quick setup and easy portability. Even when she unplugs the camera and moves it somewhere else in her home, it stays connected to her smart devices and Wi-Fi network. Many other security cameras don’t do this, and you have to reconnect them every time you remove them from their power source.

Additionally, she uses the camera’s audio to listen to her dog’s barks throughout the day and check in herself occasionally, which could be of even greater use with kids or dogs with separation anxiety.

The Wyze Cam also comes with a smoke and carbon monoxide detector built into its frame that alerts you to any major emergencies.

While the cost is low, if you want full access to the camera’s complete list of capabilities, you’ll need the monthly subscription service from Wyze. This allows for custom alerts for things like windows or doors opening, cloud storage for all captured footage, and even AI recognition software that remembers faces and alerts you to strangers, minimizing false alarms.

E220 Indoor Security Camera

What sets the Eufy Security E220 indoor cam apart from other, similar options is its field of view. This camera rotates horizontally and vertically providing a virtually all-encompassing image of any room you set it up in.

Within that, the automatic motion tracking is excellent. The camera detects motion and automatically follows it through the room, using its ample rotation to track intruders or pets. The camera stays close to the subject, though the movements are a little jarring to watch in real time. This provides a much fuller picture of what trouble your pet may be getting up to as opposed to a static view that they may walk out of. And when I tested the manual controls, I found them fairly easy to maneuver.

The camera also comes with an impressively loud speaker and microphone for easy communication, though hearing it from both sides, I found the quality of the audio lacking.

Over time, the camera also began recognizing the difference between my roommate, myself, and even the cat. So, after a short period of time, the camera only sent notifications for movement from humans and ignored the cat’s random sprints across the living room.

Eufy cameras are compatible with smart home assistants such as Alexa and Google, too.

Stick Up Indoor Security Camera

Don’t limit where your camera can go. This one from Ring mounts on any wall, ceiling, or shelf, indoors or out. The bottom of the mounting mechanism is grippy to lend it stability when upright, and the camera has a port at the back to reattach the bottom mount on. So, it works both for upright use on a desk and if you want to mount the camera on the wall.

With a weather-resistant exterior, the Stick Up handles rain and snow as well as its 1080p resolution camera captures clear footage in any light. It also does this without the substantially higher price that many outdoor-specific options command.

The security camera is also battery-powered, making it easy to mount anywhere in your home regardless of where the nearest outlet is. The company claims the battery lasts between 6 to 12 months at a time, though most customer reviews report around the 7 to 8 range.

The device comes with two-way audio, motion detection, and seamless pairing with Alexa devices. The Ring camera also offers customizable privacy settings. So, if it’s set up in the living room, you can block off certain areas in the frame where the camera will not record.

Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

This security camera from Google leaves nothing on the table. Beyond classic features such as motion detection, the indoor and outdoor capable camera differentiates between humans, animals, and vehicles for more accurate notifications. This recognition software does not require a subscription. The biggest perk of paying for the monthly subscription is access to cloud storage of all your footage.

My favorite feature, however, is the mounting system. The camera connects to its stand via magnets. So, if you want to change the viewing angle, simply lift and swivel. This also makes recharging the camera much easier; take the camera off the mount and plug it in without unscrewing anything. The actual stand holds the camera independently or screws into walls or corners for mounting at high angles.

Each Nest camera comes with exterior weather-resistance that protects it from damage in the rain, snow, or extreme heat. I ran the cameras under direct water from my shower and still got clear footage broadcast to my phone live.

I was also quite impressed by the battery design. Instead of requiring external AA or AAA batteries, the camera has internal batteries you can recharge. Each charge lasts around six months, and the battery takes about 5 hours to top off.

Mini 2 Plug-In Smart Indoor Security Camera

A great security camera doesn’t need a large footprint. Compact models like Blink’s Mini 2 provide tons of great features and high quality footage without taking up your entire shelf. This is the upgrade model of the original compact camera from Blink, which we previously had on this list.

The new version comes with a wider field of view, crisper video footage, and the option for a weather-resistant adapter if you plan on mounting the camera outside.

Regardless of these improvements, the security camera is still one of the most affordable options here. With the purchase of the Blink subscription, the camera identifies people and stores footage on the cloud.

Cam Pan v3 Indoor Security Camera

The Cam Pan v3 stands out due to not just its affordability, like other Wyze products, but also its range of movement. The camera, as the name implies, pans and looks up and down to capture a wider view. It can rotate a full 360 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically. This allows you to follow the motion of pets and kids in real time.

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is built for both indoor and outdoor surveillance, so the camera comes with an IP65 weather-resistance rating. It also has a privacy mode so you can enjoy relaxing time in common spaces without constant live footage of it.

That said, if you plan on moving it between indoor and outdoor spaces frequently, keep in mind where the nearest outlet is, because the short plug may require an extension cord for proper mounting.

Indoor Security Camera (3rd Gen)

For easy setup and seamless mounting process, this Blink is a solid choice. The indoor camera easily connects to other devices. And because the brand is owned by Amazon, Blink devices integrate seamlessly with smart home gadgets with Alexa so you can control and view security footage from wherever in your home you have one.

But really, its battery life is what sets it apart from many other cordless options. For an indoor camera not relying on corded power, up to two years of power using just one set of batteries is about as good as the market offers. So, you can easily mount the camera anywhere and not have to worry about nearby outlets—or even replacing the battery—for years at a time.

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